Photograph display and storage tray system

ABSTRACT

A display and storage tray for a stack of photographs, card-like objects or the like, includes a housing, a retaining member, a plurality of slots, at least one guiding member and a lifting member. The housing has an interior that forms a recess that is adapted to hold the stack of photographs. The retaining member is coupled to the housing to retain the stack of photographs within the recess of the housing. A first opening slot is formed between the guiding member and the retaining member, and is adapted to permit the removal of one of the photographs from the stack at a time. A guiding member is coupled to or formed as a part of the housing to guide a photograph back to the bottom of the stack of photographs when one photograph is to be placed back in the stack of photographs in the recess of the housing. A second opening slot is formed between the back of the housing and the a guiding member, and is adapted to permit insertion of one or more photographs to the bottom of the stack of photographs. A lifting member is coupled to the housing and is adapted to press against the bottom of the stack of photographs. The lifting member helps to maintain the stack of photographs within the recess of the housing. The back surface of the housing is configured to form a channel with an opening that leads from the interior to an exterior of the housing. This channel is used to hold the negatives that were used to produce the plurality of photographs contained within the housing. The tray includes a frame support tab and at least one tab slot for receiving the frame support tab. The frame support tab is inserted into the tab slot to support the tray in an orientation that permits the tray to be used as a photograph frame.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to photograph display trays and, in particularembodiments, a manual display and storage system for both photographsand negatives.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditionally, photographs are displayed in picture frames that areeither mounted to a wall or displayed on a desk. A large number ofphotographs are displayed in this manner. One drawback to picture framesis that you can only display one picture at a time (or a few picturesthat are separated by matting within a large frame) and it is difficultto quickly or easily change the picture in the frame. Also, negativescorresponding to the displayed photograph cannot be stored with thephotographs.

An alternative approach is the photograph album, which can hold a largenumber of photographs. The pictures are mounted on sheets and held inplace by tabs or a glassine sheet overlay. To view the photographs, aperson turns the pages. However, albums may be difficult to display on adesk and the album normally cannot be mounted to the wall. Also, it isinconvenient to store negatives with their displayed photographs.

Another alternative approach is to store the photographs with thenegatives in a storage box. This may make it easier to store andorganize the photographs, but it does not facilitate their display.

Still another alternative approach is a photographic box that allows theuser to cycle through the pictures stored in the box. The user utilizesa mechanical sorting mechanism to move one picture from a front positionto a position at the end of the stored pictures. Drawbacks to thissystem result from the mechanical sorting mechanism wearing out as thesprings in the mechanism weaken. Also, these devices do not have theability to store the negatives with the photographs in the box. Further,the device tends to be bulky and costly, and thus it may be expensive tohave a plurality of devices for multiple sets of photographs.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

It is an object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide animproved photographic display and storage tray that can be used as asystem, and which obviates for practical purposes, the above-mentionedlimitations.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a photograph display andstorage tray for a stack formed by a plurality of photographs, card-likeobjects or the like, includes a housing, a retaining member, a pluralityof slots, at least one guiding member and a lifting member. The housinghas an interior that forms a recess adapted to hold the stack. Theretaining member is coupled to the housing to retain the stack that iscontained within the recess of the housing.

A first opening slot is formed between the at least one guiding memberand the retaining member, and is adapted to permit the removal of one ofthe photographs from the stack one at a time. The at least one guidingmember is coupled to or formed as a part of the housing to guide the onephotograph back to the bottom of the stack of photographs when the onephotograph is to be placed back in the stack in the recess of thehousing. A second opening slot is formed between the back of the housingand the at least one guiding member, and is adapted to permit insertionof one or more photographs into bottom of the stack of photographs.

The lifting member is coupled to the housing, and is adapted to pressagainst the bottom of the stack of photographs. The lifting member helpsto maintain the stack within the recess of the housing. In preferredembodiments, the lifting member prevents the photographs at the bottomof the stack from passing out through the second opening slot.

In particular embodiments, the retaining member forms a lip thatoverlaps the edges of the stack of photographs to maintain thephotographs within the recess of the housing. In preferred embodiments,the retaining member is a transparent cover that covers the recess inthe housing and the stack of photographs. Also, the transparent covermay be removable to permit easy insertion of an entire stack ofphotographs, such as when the device is initially loaded.

Preferred embodiments of the tray are formed from plastic materials.However, in alternative embodiments, other materials, such as paper,metal, wood, ceramics or composites may be used.

In further embodiments, the back of the housing is configured to form achannel with an opening that leads from the interior to an exterior ofthe housing. This channel is used to hold the negatives that were usedto produce the photographs contained within the housing. In preferredembodiments, the channel is formed by a pair of indentations formed inthe back of the housing which extend into the recess in the interior ofthe housing. The indentations also provide support for the stack ofphotographs.

In further preferred embodiments the tray includes a frame support taband at least one tab slot for receiving the frame support tab. The framesupport tab is inserted into the tab slot to support the tray in anorientation that permits it to be used as a photograph frame.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, variousfeatures of embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of embodiments of the invention will be made withreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals designatecorresponding parts in the several figures.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a tray in accordance with afirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the tray of the first embodimentshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the tray of the first embodimentshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a back perspective view of the tray of the first embodimentshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is another back perspective view of the tray of the firstembodiment in FIG. 1, shown holding negatives.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the tray of the first embodiment shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the tray of the first embodiment shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is one end view of the tray of the first embodiment shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 9 is an opposite end view of the tray of the first embodiment shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the tray of the first embodiment shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a tray in accordance with the firstembodiment with a organizer rack in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 12 is a front plan view of a fully-loaded organizer rack inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 13(a)-13(e) illustrate the steps of a method of cycling through astack of photographs using the tray in accordance with the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of a tray in accordance with asecond embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the tray of the second embodiment shown inFIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a bottom plan view of the tray of the second embodiment shownin FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is one end view of the tray of the second embodiment shown inFIG. 14.

FIG. 18 is an opposite end view of the tray of the second embodimentshown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the tray of the second embodiment shown inFIG. 14.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a tray in accordance with a thirdembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a tray in accordance with a fourthembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a tray in accordance with a fifthembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a tray in accordance with a sixthembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a tray in accordance with a seventhembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a tray in a accordance with an eighthembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the invention isembodied in a photograph display and storage tray. In preferredembodiments of the present invention, the tray is adapted to hold anddisplay photographs. However, it will be recognized that furtherembodiments of the invention may be used to hold and display othercard-like objects, such as printed cards, baseball cards, lithographs,artwork, note paper, recipe cards, index cards, or the like. Also, thetray may be adapted to hold and display more than a single stack ofphotographs; for example, trays may hold two stacks of photographs in aside- by-side relationship.

Preferred embodiments of the photograph display and storage tray aredesigned to appear like and be used as a photograph frame when stood onedge. A tab is inserted in a slot formed on the back of the tray toprovide support for the tray when it is in an upright orientation on asurface such as a table, shelf, or the like. Alternatively, the tray mayuse a hole in the housing for receiving a nail or hook for hanging onthe wall, or may be provided with a magnet to attach to metal objects,such as a cabinet, refrigerator or the like.

The trays provide a storage channel or pocket on the back of the trayfor conveniently holding the negatives that were used to produce thephotographs contained in the tray. This facilitates easy access tocorresponding negatives when reprints are desired. Thus, photographs andnegatives can be stored in a single displayable storage unit.

The tray has a plurality of slots and guidance tabs on one end of thetray permitting the user to circulate quickly through the stack ofphotographs to select a desired photograph for display. The upper slotpermits the user to extract one photograph at a time to expose the nextphotograph down in the stack. The guidance tabs are set at angles todirect a photograph pressed against the side of the tray toward a secondslot on the tray. This second slot is positioned below the bottom of oneend of the photograph stack to permit the user to insert the photographat the bottom of the stack. In preferred embodiments, the guidance tabsonly extend part way across the side of the tray, to provide an openingthat allows the user's fingers to grasp the photographs contained in thetray. However, in alternative embodiments, the guide tabs may be formedas a single member that extends all the way across the side of the tray.

A lifting member presses against one end of the bottom of the stack ofphotographs. This lifts and positions the end of the stack above thesecond slot in the side of the tray so that a photograph can be insertedeasily into the bottom of the stack. Lifting the end of the stack ofphotographs also prevents the photographs from sliding back out of thetray through the second slot. In preferred embodiments, the liftingmember is formed as part of the tray, as a wedge or ramp. In alternativeembodiments, the lifting member may be formed apart from the tray andaffixed to the tray, or the lifting member may be made from othermaterials and may use a spring to lift the stack of photographs.

In preferred embodiments, the trays are produced in a standard exteriorsize so that they may be stacked and loaded in an organizer rackregardless of the size of the photographs. This permits the user tostack, for example, 4"×6" photographs with 3.5"×5" photographs in asingle rack. In particular embodiments, the organizer racks may bestacked one on top of another to provide a modular storage system. Thus,the trays may be stacked in a manner similar to that used for CDs,cassette tapes or the like. In alternative embodiments, the trays may bemade in different sizes or shapes.

In further embodiments, one end of the tray is sized and textured tohold a label, on which identifying information may be placed. Theinformation can, for example, identify the subject or event, identifythe date of event, or index the contents of the tray.

Preferred embodiments of the trays are formed by plastic injectionmolding or vacuum forming techniques to facilitate manufacture andreduce the cost of the tray. The transparent cover is preferably diecut. The base of the tray is formed from polystyrene or polypropylene,and the transparent cover is made from PETG, polystyrene, acetate oracrylic. However, in alternative embodiments, the base of the tray maybe made from other materials such as paper, cardboard, wood, metal,ceramics, composites, or the like; and the transparent cover may be madefrom other suitable materials, such as plastic, glass, or the like.

FIGS. 1-10 show a photograph display and storage tray 10 in accordancewith a first embodiment of the present invention. The tray 10 includes abase housing 12 and a transparent cover 14. The transparent cover 14 isadapted to be coupled to the housing 12 to contain a stack ofphotographs, or the like, within the housing 12.

In preferred embodiments, the housing 12 is produced by injectionmolding or vacuum forming techniques, and is made with polystyrene orpolypropelene. The transparent cover 14 is produced by die cutting andis made from PETG, polystyrene, acetate or acrylic. In alternativeembodiments, different manufacturing methods may be used, such asassembly from multiple parts or the like. Also, different materials maybe used for the base housing 12, such as paper, cardboard, otherplastics, metal, ceramics, composites, or the like; and the transparentcover 14 may be formed of plexiglass, glass, crystal, or the like. Inaddition, alternative embodiments of the transparent cover mayincorporate magnifiers to increase the apparent size of the photographscontained within the tray 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the transparent cover 14 is a flat piece ofmaterial that has a plurality of tabs 16 at each corner. The tabs 16 areused to couple the transparent cover 14 to the base housing 12 of thetray 10 by a plurality of corresponding tab slots 18 in the base housing12 (see FIGS. 1 and 9). The transparent cover 14 is used to retain thestack of photographs in the housing 12 when storing or displaying thetop photograph. In preferred embodiments, the transparent cover 14 has anotch 20 cut in one end of the transparent cover 14 that facilitatesgrasping and removing of a photograph contained within the tray 10.

The base housing 12 includes a plurality of side walls 22 and 24, an endwall 26 and a bottom 28 to provide an interior surface that forms arecess in the housing 12 for holding a stack of photographs that are tobe displayed, stored and cycled within the tray 10. Also coupled to thebottom 28 of the housing 12 is a lifting member 30 that lifts andpositions one end of the bottom of the stack of photographs containedwithin the housing 12.

Connected to one end of each of the side walls 22 and 24 of the housing12 are a pair of guidance tabs 32 and 34. A space between the bottom 28of the housing 12 and the guidance tabs 32 and 34 forms a slot 36 (seeFIG. 9). In particular embodiments, the lifting member 30 may also forma part of the slot 36. This slot 36 is used to return photographs to thebottom of the stack of photographs contained within the housing 12.

In preferred embodiments, the lifting member 30 is formed like a ramp tolift and position one end of the stack of photographs contained withinthe housing 12 above the slot 36 to facilitate the sliding of aphotograph to the bottom of the stack of photographs.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the lifting member 30 has a rounded end 38 whichsmoothly guides a photograph onto an angled ramp portion 40 of thelifting member 30 so that the photograph passes through the slot 36 andcontacts the bottom of the stack of photographs. The guidance tabs 32and 34 are also angled to direct the photograph through the slot 36 sothat it contacts the bottom of the stack of photographs. Both the rampportion 40 of the lifting member 30 and the guidance tabs 32 and 34 aidthe user in inserting the top photograph into the bottom of the stack ofphotographs without requiring precise accuracy and coordination by theuser. In preferred embodiments, the ramp portion 40 deflects and acts asa spring bias to lift S the bottom of the stack above the second opening36.

Once the photograph passes through the slot 36, an end of the photographcontacts the bottom of the stack of photographs; and as the user pushesthe photograph into the housing 12, the photograph is pushed between thebottom of the stack of photographs and the ramp 40 of the liftingmember. After the photograph is pushed all the way into the housing 12beyond the guidance tabs 32 and 34, it is positioned at the bottom ofthe stack of photographs and is ready to be cycled through the tray 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1-7, the bottom 28 of the base housing 12 includes aplurality of channel rails 42 and 44 that extend into the recess formedin the housing 12. The channel rails 42 and 44 perform as rail guidesthat help facilitate sliding the photographs into the bottom of thestack of photographs by minimizing the surface contact area of thephotograph that contacts the bottom 28 of the housing 12. As shown inFIGS. 3-5, the channel rails 42 and 44 also form a channel or pocketwith an opening; 45 underneath the lifting member 30 that permits a userto slide negatives into this channel through the opening 45 whileminimizing contact with the bottom of the stack of photographs containedwithin the housing 12. This enables the user to store both thephotographs and the corresponding negatives used to produce thephotographs in a single tray 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 6, along the edges of the guidance tabs 32 and34, the side walls 22 and 24, and the end wall 26 are a plurality offrame members 46, 48, 50, 52, and 54, respectively, resembling a pictureframe. These frame members 46, 48, 50, 52 and 54 provide the tray 10with a finished look when the tray 10 is used for display purposes. Inpreferred embodiments, the frame members 46 and 48 do not extend acrossthe notch 20 of the transparent cover 14, since the notch 20 facilitatesinsertion and removal of photographs from the stack of photographs. Infurther embodiments, the rounded end 38 of the lifting member 30 may beshaped to have a rounded texture, similar to that of the frame members,and be positioned so that it appears as a portion of the frame whenviewing the tray 10 from a distance.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the transparent cover 14 is coupled tothe base housing 12 by the plurality of tabs 16 engaging thecorresponding tab slots 18 in the housing 12, a slot 56 is formed forremoving one photograph at a time. In operation, the user grasps aphotograph on the top of the stack of photographs exposed in the notch20 of the transparent cover 14. Then the user slides the photographtowards the end 57 of the transparent cover 14 and the upper edges ofthe guidance tabs 32 and 34. The single photograph then slides throughthe notch 56 and is pulled out from the tray 10. In preferredembodiments, the slot 56 formed between the transparent cover 14 and theguidance tabs 32 and 34 is slightly narrower than the thickness of thephotograph to keep the photographs inside tray 10 until the user graspsand removes a photograph. For example, the transparent cover 14 and theguidance tabs 32 and 34 flex slightly to expand the width of the slot 56when the photograph is removed. In alternative embodiments, the slot 56is a fixed width and may be slightly wider than the thickness of thephotograph.

As shown in FIGS. 4-7, on the bottom 28 of the base housing 12 is aframe support tab 58 that is formed as a part of the bottom 28. Theframe support tab 58 is removable and can be inserted into a pluralityof corresponding frame tab slots 60. To use the tray 10 as a frame, theuser breaks or snaps out the frame support tab 58 and inserts it in aframe tab slot 60. After which the tray 10 can be stood on its side ineither a portrait or a landscape orientation to serve as a picture framefor the photograph displayed on the top of the stack photographscontained within the tray 10. In alternative embodiments, the framesupport tab 58 may be provided as a separate piece, instead of beingformed as a part of the bottom 28 of the housing 12.

When the tray 10 is not being used as a picture frame, the frame supporttab 58 is removed from the frame tab slot 60 and may be stored on thebottom 28 of the base housing 12. Each frame support tab 58 is providedwith two sub-tabs 62 on one surface of the frame support tab 58. Thesub-tabs 62 are sized to fit the width of the frame tab slot 60 and astorage tab slot 64 on the bottom 28 of the housing 12. The sub-tabs 62keep the frame support tab 58 in a fixed position when it is not beingused and helps prevent the frame support tab 58 from being lost.

In alternative embodiments, the tray may include a plurality of holesfor receiving a nail, screw or the like, to mount the tray 10 to a wall.In still further embodiments, the bottom 28 of the tray may be providedwith one or more magnets suitable for holding the tray 10 and a stack ofphotographs on a refrigerator, metallic cabinet, other metal surface orthe like, to display the photographs contained within the tray 10.

In preferred embodiments, the end wall 26 of the base housing 12 isadapted in size and texture to accept a label to be written on toprovide identifying information regarding the stack of photographscontained within the tray 10. The identifying information typicallyincludes the subject, the date and/or an index of the photographscontained within the display storage tray 10. An adhesive label (notshown) may be used or the housing 12 may include tab guides (not shown)to secure a label card (not shown) to the end wall 26 of the housing 12.

In preferred embodiments, the trays 10 are made in a standard sizeregardless of the size of the stack of photographs to be containedwithin the tray 10. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a convenientorganizing rack 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention can be utilized to hold a plurality of trays 10. The trays 10are slid into tray slots 102 of the organizer rack 100 with the liftingmember 30 inserted towards the back wall of the organizer rack 100. Theorganizer rack 100 protects the photographs and trays 10 from fallingout when not being used and tends to minimize the amount of dust anddirt that can collect on the photographs and trays 10. In preferredembodiments, the end wall 26 of the base housing 12 is exposed so thatthe user can easily view information indicating what is stored in thephotograph display and storage trays 10 that are contained within theorganizer rack 100.

In particular embodiments, the organizer racks 100 are sized and shapedso that they may be stacked one on top of another. This provides amodular photograph display and storage system. For example, the top 104of the organizer rack 100 is adapted to fit an inset base 106 of anotherorganizer rack 100 so that a plurality of modules can be stackedtogether. In preferred embodiments, the organizer racks 100 are securedto the adjacent organizer racks by friction. However, in alternativeembodiments, the organizer racks may be secured together by adhesives,hook and loop tape, tabs and slots, or the like. In further alternativeembodiments, the exterior of the organizer rack 100 can be modified tohold and display one or more trays 10 on the side of the organizer rack100 to improve the storage capacity and provide additional displayopportunities.

The use of a organizer rack 100 and a plurality of trays 10 allows theuser to identify the location of a particular tray 10 and its contents,remove the tray 10 from the organizer rack 100, quickly sort through thestack of photographs contained within the tray 10, and display aselected photograph in that tray 10 on a desk or a wall. When the useris finished viewing or displaying the tray 10, the user removes andstores the frame support tab 58, if necessary, and then slides the tray10 back into a tray slot 102 for storage. The user can then selectanother tray and repeat the above steps. Thus, the trays 10 are stackedand stored in a manner similar to that of compact disks, video tapes,audio tapes or the like.

To use the tray, a stack of photographs is first placed within therecess formed within the base housing 12 and then the transparent cover14 is placed over and coupled to the housing 12. As shown in FIG. 13(a),the user holds the tray 10 in one hand 112 and uses the other hand 114to grasp the top photograph 116 in the stack of photographs 118 throughthe notch 20 in the transparent cover 14. Then, as shown in FIG. 13(b),the user slides the photograph 116 through the slot 56 formed betweenthe transparent cover 14 and the top of the guidance tabs 32 and 34,where it can be grasped by the fingers of the user's hand 114 and pulledout from the stack of photographs 118 to expose the next photograph inthe stack. The photograph 116 is removed from the stack of photographsas shown in FIG. 13(c). Then, as shown in FIG. 13(d), the photograph 116is returned to the bottom of the stack of photographs 118 by pushing thephotograph 116 back into the tray 10. The photograph 116 engages thelifting member 30 and/or the guidance tabs 32 and 34 when the user'shand 114 presses the photograph 116 into the side of the tray 10. Whenthe photograph 116 contacts the lifting member 30 and the guidance tabs32 and 34, the photograph 116 is guided into and passes through the slot36 between the bottom 28 of the housing 12 and the bottom of theguidance tabs 32 and 34. As shown in FIG. 13(e), the photograph 116 thenslides under the bottom of the stack of photographs 118 and over thelifting member 30. The user continues to push the photograph 116 intothe tray 10, until the photograph 116 is stopped by the end wall 26 ofthe housing 12 and the end of the photograph 116, held by the user'shand 114, passes by the guidance tabs 32 and 34 so that the photograph116 is lifted and positioned above the slot 36 along with the otherphotographs in the stack of photographs 118. The steps shown in FIGS.13(a)-13(e) are repeated as the user circulates through the stack ofphotographs 118.

FIGS. 14-19 show a photograph display and storage tray 200 in accordancewith a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment issimilar to the tray 10 described above, and like numbers on tray 10describe the like parts on this embodiment of tray 200. However, thetray 200 is designed to hold a stack of photographs with smallerdimensions than the stack of photographs contained in the tray 10described above. For example, the tray 200 may be adapted to hold3.5"×5" photographs, compared to 4" ×6" held in a tray 10.

The tray 200 has a modified housing base 12, in which the side walls 22and 24, and the end wall 26 forming the recess in the housing 12 arecloser together to hold smaller photographs. However, the outerdimensions of the frame members 46, 48, 50, 52, and 54 are maintained sothat the tray 200 can be stored in an organizer rack 100 that holdstrays 10. This is accomplished by forming two side extension members 202and 204, and an end extension member 206 that connects the frame memberswith the side walls 22 and 24, and the end wall 26 of the housing 12.This embodiment is only required if a user wants to store different sizephotographs in the same organizer rack 100. Otherwise, a user can usedifferent size trays 10, each adapted for different size photographs andeach with a corresponding sized organizer rack 100 designed for aparticular sized tray 10.

In preferred embodiments of the tray 200, the end wall 26 includes anegative slot 208, which is provided to permit one end of the negativesto extend past the end wall 26. The slot 208 is needed, since negativesare typically cut in standard lengths, and the smaller recess of thetray 200 would tend to cause the negatives to extend beyond the liftingmember 30. This could subject the negatives to wear or damage, whileextending the negatives beyond the end wall 26 still affords protectionfor the negatives from the overhanging frame member 54 and the extensionmember 206.

FIG. 20 illustrates a display and storage tray 220 in accordance with athird embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is formedfrom chipboard, cardboard, paper or the like, and appears like a foldedcarton. The upper panel 222 has a hole cut out of it, and an acetatelens 224 cemented into the hole. Also, the lifting member 226 is aplastic spring device that is cemented to the bottom panel 228 of thetray 220. In alternative embodiments, the lens 224 may be omitted andthe stack of photographs are retained by the lip formed by the upperpanel 222. In further alternative embodiments, the plastic spring deviceof the lifting member 226 is replaced with a stationary ramp made out ofchipboard, cardboard, paper, or the like. For example, the tray 220could be made out of cardboard and simply folded into shape by aphotograph developer prior to delivery to a customer.

FIG. 21 shows a display and storage tray 240 in accordance with a fourthembodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is molded or vacuumformed from polypropelene, or the like, and has a hinge 242 between thetop portion 244 and the bottom portion 246. In operation, the userplaces a stack of photographs in the bottom portion 246 and folds thetop portion 244 over the stack of photographs. In preferred embodiments,the top portion 244 is held to the bottom portion 246 by snap closures248 and snap holes 250. However, in alternative embodiments, differentclosure techniques, such as friction, adhesives, hook and loop tape orthe like may be used. In other alternative embodiments, a transparentcover may be omitted. Also, the tray 240 may use a spring device or aramp design to lift the bottom of the stack of photographs.

FIG. 22 illustrates a display and storage tray 260 in accordance with afifth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment omits a lensand utilizes short integral tabs 262 protruding from the base housing264 to retain the stack of photographs within the tray 260.

FIG. 23 shows a display and storage tray 280 in accordance with a sixthembodiment of the present invention. The housing 282 is formed a sU-shaped frame adapted to hold a stack of photographs. At the open endof the U-shaped frame, a lifting member 284 is formed integrally orattached to lift one end of the stack of photographs so that theU-shaped frame 282 retains the photographs within the tray 280.

FIG. 24 shows a display and storage tray 300 in accordance with aseventh embodiment of the present invention. This tray is similar to thetray 10. However, the tray 300 has an additional end wall 302 and framemember 304 hinged to the lifting member 30. This end wall 302 is foldedinward to close off the open end of the tray 300 when the photographsare to be displayed or stored, and folded down when the user searchesthrough the stack of photographs contained within the tray 300.

FIG. 25 shows a display and storage tray 320 in accordance with aneighth embodiment of the present invention. This tray 320 is formed of asleeve of clear plastic or the like, with an attached or integrallifting member 322. In alternative embodiments, the top is formed fromone material, such as plastic; and the bottom and side walls are formedfrom another material, such as wood, metal, plastic, ceramic, cardboard,or the like. To store negatives in this embodiment, the ramp is foldedoutward, the negatives are then placed in the sleeve, and the ramp isthen folded back. In alternative embodiments, the negatives are insertedon either side of the lifting member 322 and then slid behind andsecured by the lifting member 322.

While the description above refers to particular embodiments of thepresent invention, it will be understood that many modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claimsare intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the truescope and spirit of the present invention.

The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered inall respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of theinvention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than theforegoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embracedtherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A photograph display and storage tray for a stackformed by a plurality of photographs, the tray comprising:a unitaryhousing having an interior that forms a recess adapted to hold the stackof the plurality of photographs; a retaining member coupled to thehousing to retain the stack of the plurality of photographs within therecess of the housing; at least one guiding member coupled to thehousing; a first opening slot formed between the at least one guidingmember and the retaining member, the first opening slot being adapted topermit removal of one of the plurality of photographs from the stack andthe photograph display and storage tray at a time; wherein the at leastone guiding member is for guiding the one photograph to a bottom of thestack of the plurality of photographs when the one photograph is to beplaced back in the stack of the plurality of photographs and thephotograph display and storage tray; a second opening slot formedbetween a back of the housing and the at least one guiding member, thesecond opening slot being adapted to permit insertion of one or morephotographs into the stack of the plurality of photographs and thephotograph display and storage tray; and a lifting member coupled to thehousing to press against the bottom of the stack of the plurality ofphotographs to maintain the stack of the plurality of photographs withinthe recess of the housing, wherein the one photograph is removed fromand inserted back into the stack of the plurality of photographsindependent of moving parts.
 2. A tray according to claim 1, wherein theretaining member forms a lip that overlaps edges of the stack of theplurality of photographs to hold the stack in the recess of the housing.3. A tray according to claim 1, wherein the retaining member is atransparent cover that covers the recess in the housing and the stack ofthe plurality of photographs.
 4. A tray according to claim 3, whereinthe transparent cover is removable to permit easy insertion of the stackof the plurality of photographs.
 5. A tray according to claim 4, whereinthe tray is formed from plastic materials, and wherein the housing, theat least one guiding member and the lifting member are formed from asingle piece of the plastic materials.
 6. A tray according to claim 1,wherein a back surface of the housing is configured to form a channelwith an opening from the interior to an exterior of the housing to holdnegatives for the plurality of photographs.
 7. A tray according to claim6, wherein the channel is formed by a pair of indentations formed in theback surface of the housing, and wherein the pair of indentations extendinto the recess of the housing to also support the stack of theplurality of photographs.
 8. A tray according to claim 1, furtherincluding a frame support tab, and wherein a bottom surface of thehousing has at least one tab slot for receiving the frame support tabsuch that the tray is supportable in an orientation that permits it tobe used as a photograph frame.
 9. A photograph display and storage trayfor a stack formed by a plurality of photographs, the tray comprising:aunitary housing having an interior that forms a recess adapted to holdthe stack of the plurality of photographs, wherein a back surface of thehousing is configured to form a channel with an opening from theinterior to an exterior of the housing to hold negatives for theplurality of photographs; a transparent cover coupled to the housing tocover and retain the stack of the plurality of photographs within therecess of the housing; at least one guiding member coupled to thehousing; a first opening slot formed between the at least one guidingmember and the retaining member, the first opening slot being adapted topermit removal of one of the plurality of photographs from the stack andthe photograph display and storage tray at a time; wherein the at leastone guiding member is for guiding the one photograph to a bottom of thestack of the plurality of photographs when the one photograph is to beplaced back in the stack of the plurality of photographs and thephotograph display and storage tray; a second opening slot formedbetween a back of the housing and the at least one guiding member, thesecond opening slot being adapted to permit insertion of one or morephotographs into the stack of the plurality of photographs and thephotograph display and storage tray; and a lifting member coupled to thehousing to press against the bottom of the stack of the plurality ofphotographs to maintain the stack of the plurality of photographs withinthe recess of the housing, wherein the one photograph is removed fromand inserted back into the stack of the plurality of photographsindependent of moving parts.
 10. A tray according to claim 9, whereinthe transparent cover is removable to permit easy insertion of the stackof the plurality of photographs.
 11. A tray according to claim 9,wherein the tray is formed from plastic materials, and wherein thehousing, the at least one guiding member and the lifting member areformed from a single piece of the plastic materials.
 12. A trayaccording to claim 9, wherein the channel is formed by a pair ofindentations formed in the back surface of the housing, and wherein thepair of indentations extend into the recess of the housing to alsosupport the stack of the plurality of photographs.
 13. A tray accordingto claim 9, further including a frame support tab, and wherein a bottomsurface of the housing has at least one tab slot for receiving the framesupport tab such that the tray is supportable in an orientation thatpermits it to be used as a photograph frame.
 14. A display and storagetray for a stack formed by a plurality of planar elements, the traycomprising:a unitary housing having an interior surface that forms arecess adapted to hold the stack of the plurality of planar elements; aretaining member coupled to the housing to retain the stack of theplurality of planar elements within the recess of the housing; at leastone guiding member coupled to the housing; a first opening slot formedbetween the at least one guiding member and the retaining member, thefirst opening slot being adapted to permit complete removal of one ofthe plurality of planar elements from the stack and the display andstorage tray at a time; wherein the at least one guiding member is forguiding the one completely removed planar element to a bottom of thestack of the plurality of planar elements when the one completelyremoved planar element is to be placed back in the stack of theplurality of planar elements and the display and storage tray; a secondopening slot formed between a back of the housing and the at least oneguiding member, the second opening slot being adapted to permitinsertion of one or more planar elements into the stack of the pluralityof planar elements and the display and storage tray; and a liftingmember coupled to the housing to press against the bottom of the stackof the plurality of planar elements to maintain the stack of theplurality of planar elements within the recess of the housing, whereinthe one planar element is removed from and inserted back into the stackof planar elements independent of sliding parts.
 15. A tray according toclaim 14, wherein the retaining member forms a lip that overlaps thestack of the plurality of planar elements to hold the stack in therecess of the housing.
 16. A tray according to claim 14, wherein theretaining member is a transparent cover that covers the recess in thehousing and the stack of the plurality of planar elements.
 17. A trayaccording to claim 16, wherein the transparent cover is removable topermit easy insertion of the stack of the plurality of planar elements.18. A tray according to claim 14, wherein the tray is formed fromplastic materials, and Wherein the housing, the at least one guidingmember and the lifting member are formed from a single piece of theplastic materials.
 19. A tray according to claim 14, further including aframe support tab, and wherein a bottom surface of the housing has atleast one tab slot for receiving the frame support tab such that thetray can supported in an orientation that permits it to be used as aframe.